Preparing for Japan!

William studied Japanese (not as hard as I thought he should), made soap, bought special pens and I knit some dragonfly washcloths for Omiyagi (gifts). We took him out for dinner at Molly's and Aunt Kelly had to have a "shooter" with him and give him some advise. Ginger drove us to the airport the next morning, bright and early and I took him to Starbucks for a little wake up breakfast before sending him off to LAX and ultimately Japan.

Mini Kendo camp

Actually it was just another normal week of Kendo, but William had a good friend (Galen) stay with us for the entire week. It was wonderful. He's a great kid and I wish he'd rubbed off on William some more. Fortunately Max was around to give Galen some more mature time. We went swimming twice, the zoo, teen night once or twice, the civil rights museum and Pink Palace IMAX.

2008 US Kendo Championships Las Vegas

Here are some of the photos I took with William's new (small) camera. Thank you to everyone who supported him on this journey, gave him jobs, money, advice and training. He has a long way to go until next championships in 3 years, but he is determined to return and improve his performance.

The weekend of insane activity and indulged teenagers

William's Kendo team practice in Nashville brought about several other activities in the interest of saving fuel. First, here are some photos of William at practice and the obligatory beer and food that follows. For better photos go here. Thanks to Lisa for letting us stay with her. We drove William to the middle of freaking no where so he could stay over night with a homeschool buddy. Returned to Nashville for a brief break before going on a Starbucks mystery shop and pestering Ginger for directions to iD camp check-in. Thank heavens for the new GPS! We got Max checked in to camp where upon he instantly dismissed me and I was free to dash over and meet Lisa & Lynette to go to the CMA Fest. Lisa sweetly obtained a ticket for me! After having massive cell phone problems complete with leaving some bizarre message that alarmed my brother, parents and wife, I finally met up with Lynette and got to the stadium. Great performers, though Billy Ray must learn to shut up. Picked up William the next day and headed home. Beat for the next two days. Today is the first day I could even put 2 thoughts together, unfortunately those thoughts were "vacuum" and "mop". UGH!

the next summer knit top

Technically I should have done Lotus Blossom first, but I just wasn't feeling it. After knocking Lelah out in 4 days, I instantly swatched for lotus blossom and got gauge! I planned to alter the top (don't I always), but followed the directions for the size large. After one entire repeat it was obvious that everyone was right, this pattern runs outrageously large. I should have swatched a lace section, no wait, I think I did! After some lamenting and gnashing of teeth, I frogged the effer and headed off to Nashville for the LAST SEUSKF team practice. Foolishly thinking I'd have 5 hours to knit. Of course Arai-sensei's wife conned me into timing ji geiko, Masumi needed ice packs, somebody else needed athletic tape and it was "mom to the rescue". The knitting whined. I snuck off and got a bit done later. After 2 repeats I can see I am still going to have to alter this pattern so basically I am lifting the lace pattern and changing everything else. In hindsight, I wish I had purchased Soie Bamboo for this top. The Sonata is stiff and will not have the drape or weight I had wished for, but the cost is right. Hopefully I can beat the heck out of it in the washing machine with a pair of jeans and soften it up.

On the Road Again (for Kendo)

William had another team practice for the South East Kendo Federation national team. We drove to Crossville and stayed with Margo, Peggy and Mattie. Gracious and accomodating, we always crash there on these easternly trips. Then it was onto North Carolina for the practice and I met up with Ellen from the soft coated Wheaten Terrier yahoo group. The weather was stunningly beautiful and the dogs were great. We met her 3 and got some sun. After a great dinner (no photos) we crashed at a basic hotel and checked email then left the next day for an extra practice in Knoxville with Hyun-sensei. William worked hard all weekend. We're very proud of him! On Sunday he was so tired after Geiko with Hyun-sensei that he thought he was going to pass out and/or be ill. He drank some, breathed, focused and went back for more!